Yakuza creator's new studio and its debut game Gang of Dragon are no more after losing funding from NetEase

Toshihiro Nagoshi, often credited as the creator of the acclaimed Yakuza and Like A Dragon series, established his own studio, Nagoshi Studio, in 2021. He unveiled his upcoming game, initially named Gang of Dragon, almost a year later. However, the Tokyo-based developer recently announced its closure, as officially recorded in the Japanese government Kanpo gazette. This development follows months of employees being informed of the studio's precarious financial situation due to NetEase's funding reductions.

Gang of Dragon reportedly required an additional £33.1 million, approximately $44.4 million at the time, to reach completion. Nevertheless, NetEase declined to provide the necessary financial support. The China-based publishers Marvel Rivals and Where Winds Meet have been progressively reducing their international investments over the past few years.

Other notable examples of funding-related studio closures include Ouka Studios, which developed Visions of Mana, and the developer behind Halo Infinite, both of which have encountered similar financial woes.

Despite these setbacks, some studios have managed to survive. For instance, Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture successfully underwent a management buyout and now operates independently. As for Gang of Dragon, limited information is available about the game, except that its promotional trailer showcased the typical violent crime and high drama elements characteristic of Nagoshi's previous works. Notably, the game starred Ma Dong-seok, a renowned actor recognized for his roles in Train to Busan and Marvel's Eternals.